John Axford Signs With The Toronto Blue Jays

We’re about a week away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training, but we have action in the free agent market. The Toronto Blue Jays signed 34-year-old John Axford per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Details of the deal remain to be released. Axford will have a homecoming of sorts as he is a native of Simcoe, Ontario.

John Axford Signs With The Toronto Blue Jays

Axford pitched for the Oakland Athletics last season and it wasn’t a stellar campaign. In 22 games he went 0-1 with a 6.43 ERA in 21 innings and a -0.2 WAR. His command, or lack thereof, resulted in a 7.3 BB/9 and an 11.6 H/9. He totaled 17 walks and 27 hits. He did, however, pick up 21 strikeouts.

Axford will be going into his ninth year at the major league level and while 2017 was a down year, he’s put together a productive eight-year career. He has a career 34-33 record with a 3.71 ERA. He’s recorded 144 saves in 470.2 innings and has 535 career strikeouts.

Given Axford’s performance last season, he could see a one-year minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training.

Before last season, Axford was coming off a strong campaign in 2016. He turned in a 3.97 ERA with a 4.01 FIP in 65.2 innings. Axford featured a 95 MPH fastball, curveball, and slider last season.

Axford has struggled with his command but he’s managed to do well against both right-handed and left-handed hitters. Against righties, he’s had a .710 OPS, and he’s posted a .666 OPS against lefties throughout his career.